A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 53. Of Women proving Gods Worthyes.

THis instance of Sarah giveth proof, that Women may be Worthyes. They may be excellent and eminent in faith and other graces. Besides this par∣ticular here noted of Sara, other worthy things also are recorded of her; As,* 1.1

• 1. She left all other her Kindred to go with her Husband, Gen. 11. 31. & 12. 5. she did not look back, as Lots VVife, Gen. 19. 26.
• 2. After they were come into a strange Land, she went from place to place with her Husband, as he saw occasion, Gen. 12. 11. & 20. 2. so as Abraham may be said to abide here, and go thither with Sarah his VVife.
• 3. She reverenced and obeyed her Husband, 1 Pet. 3. 6.
• ...

• 4. She did not onely conceive, bear, and bring forth her Son, but gave 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suck also, Gen. 21. 7.
• 5. She would not suffer her Maid to be imperious, or impetuous, Gen. 16. 4, 5.
• 6. She accepted her Maid upon humbling her self, Gen. 16. 9, 15.
• 7. She was zealous against the Bondwoman and her Son, which God ap∣proved, Gen. 21. 10, 12.
• 8. She in her place was diligent in entertaining the Angels, Gen. 18. 6.

To this instance of Sarah, others are added in this Catalogue; as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Mother, v. 23. and Rahab, v. 31. and the VVomen that received 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dead raised to life, v. 35.

Both the old and new Testament are full of many instances of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 VVomen. Histories also of all Nations, and all Ages, give further proof to the point.

• 1. VVoman was created after the same image that man was, Gen. 1. 27.* 1.2
• 2. She is redeemed by the same price, Luk. 1. 47.
• 3. She is sanctified by the same Spirit, 1 Pet. 3. 5.
• 4. She is co-heir with man of the grace of life, 1 Pet. 3. 7.
• 5. In all spiritual privileges she is all one as man, Gal. 3. 28.

Most unjust therefore, and undue, are the invectives of many men against* 1.3 the female sex, as if they were the corruption of nature, as if they were without souls, as if they were an imperfect kind, and many the like, more than mon∣strous absurdities.

• 2. This ministreth much comfort against that blemish which the first VVom•…•…n brought upon that Sex, 1 Tim. 2. 14. yea, and against the subjection, and other consequences following upon the VVomans sin, Gen. 3. 16. There are but two things from which VVomen are barr'd, wherein Men have a libe•…•…ty and power; One is, authority over an Husband; the other is, to exercise a Ministerial function, 1 Tim. 2. 12. 1 Cor. 14. 34. But instead of them be hath given two great prerogatives; One is, an extraordinary spirit, whereby they have been Prophetesses, as Miriam, Exod. 15. Deborah, Judg. 4. 4. Anna, 1 Sam. 2. 1. Huldah, 2 King. 22. 14. and others. The othe•…•… is a power and authority over Nations and Kingdomes: for it is prophefied, that Queens shall be Nurses to the Church, Isa. 49. 23.
• 3. This affords an admonition to Husbands, and other men, to esteem VVomen as having a right to all the spiritual privileges that they have, and as Heirs together with the•…•… of the grace of life, 1 Pet. 3. 7.
• 4. This ought to quicken up VVomen to labour after Knowledge, Faith, Love, and other graces, and to use all means for attaining the same.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sarahs worthy acts.
• * 1.2

  Womens and Mens like pri∣vileges.
• * 1.3

  Invectives a∣gainst Wo∣men.